Fusion, the process that powers the sun and stars, is one of the most promising options for generating the cleaner, carbon-free energy that our world badly needs. UKAEA leads the way in realizing fusion energy, partnering with industry and research organisations to achieve ground breaking advancements. Our goal is to bring fusion electricity to the grid by developing the power stations of tomorrow and the skilled workforce to deliver them. 

The Executive Support Officer provides critical secretariat support to UKAEA’s governance structures, enabling effective decision-making and strategic oversight. The role supports senior leaders, including the CEO, CFO, COO, and CDO, on governance, strategy, policy, and reporting, while managing relationships with Government sponsors and internal/external stakeholders. The officer also leads projects to improve governance processes, maintain corporate documentation, and support internal communications.

Core responsibilities

• Provide secretariat support for Executive or Board-level sub-committees to facilitate robust decision-making.
• Support senior executives (CEO, CFO, COO, CDO) in producing strategy, policy, business cases, and reports.
• Provide support to the management of UKAEA’s relationship with Government sponsors on corporate sponsorship and appointment matters.
• UKAEA’s relationship with Government sponsors on corporate sponsorship and appointment matters.
• Maintain and update corporate and governance documentation, including Framework Documents, Delegation Manual, and Committee Terms of Reference.
• Lead discrete governance, internal procedure, and communications projects.
• Maintain and update Executive Office intranet pages, producing content as required.
• Ensure governance processes and documentation align with UKAEA’s strategic and operational objectives.

• Minimum of 3 years’ experience in a comparable Governance, Secretariat Support or Executive Assistant role.
• Strong understanding of corporate governance and experience supporting committees.
• Experience contributing to strategy, policy, business cases, and reports for senior executives.
• Proven ability to manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders
• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks under pressure.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including drafting and editing formal documents.

A full list of our benefits can be found here https://careers.ukaea.uk/life-at-ukaea/employee-benefits/ but highlights include: 

• £39,610 base salary 
• Final salary defined benefit scheme with an equivalent of 21.5% employer pension contribution 
• 25 days annual leave, plus 3 days Christmas closure, 2.5 privilege day and 8 Bank holidays 
• Flexible and hybrid working options 

UKAEA’s mission is clean energy for all, and we welcome talented people from all backgrounds to help us achieve this goal. We are committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and strive to ensure fair representation across our workforce. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented in STEM, including women and individuals from diverse ethnic backgrounds, while ensuring all appointments are made on merit. Further information can be found here.